LIBERIA: Death Of Coast Guard’s Kolaco Deeply Saddens Pres. Weah

President George Manneh Weah says he’s deeply saddened by the news of the death of Assistant Minister for Coast Guard Affairs at the Ministry of National Defence, (rtd.) Brigadier General Rudolf Fartee Kolaco

The former Commanding General of the Armed Forces of Liberia passed away on the last day in 2019 in the United States, having unsuccessfully battled an illness.

“In addition to his service with the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Ministry of Defense, Minister Kolaco once served in our foreign mission as Ambassador to the Republic of India.

“Hon. Kolaco was an astute statesman and a devout public servant who served his country with grit and passion; and will always be remembered for his immense contributions and service to our nation,” President mourned in a Facebook post.

On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, he said: “I would like to extend my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the Kolaco family, the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces of Liberia and everyone else affected by the passing of Hon. Kolaco.”

He added that his thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family and it is his prayer that they will take solace in the Lord as they mourn the passing of their loved one.

“May the Good Lord grant Minister Kolaco eternal rest and may his soul rest in perfect peace,” the President further prayed.

He was an experienced retired military personnel and diplomat with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement and the requisite knowledge in Sociology.

He was enlisted into the Armed Forces of Liberia in 1969 and graduated as the 8th best out of 500 enlisted men from the John Hilary Tubman Military Academy, Todee, Montserrado County.

Subsequently, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant after completing the Officer Candidate School at the John Hilary Tubman Military Academy.

He served the AFL with distinction in the following positions: Platoon Leader, Battalion Adjutant, Assistant Brigade Adjutant, Assistant G-1, Personnel Officer, Deputy Service Support Battalion Commander, and Deputy Commander, 3rd Infantry Battalion.

Besides, in 1980, he was promoted Brigadier General and assigned as Director of Staff, AFL. From 1985-1986, and later served as Commanding General of the AFL.

Kolaco served from 1981-1985 as Deputy Minister for Administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from 1986-1990, he was Liberian Ambassador to the Republic of India.

Prior to his preferment to the position of Assistant Minister for Coast Guard Affairs, he served as the Director General of the National Bureau of Veteran Affairs of the country.

He was a Christian, married to Helena and the union was blessed with several children.

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Joel Cholo Brooks is a Liberian journalist who previously worked for several international news outlets including the BBC African Service. He is the CEO of the Global News Network which publishes two local weeklies, The Star and The GNN-Liberia Newspapers. He is a member of the Press Union Of Liberia (PUL) since 1986, and several other international organizations of journalists, and is currently contributing to the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation as Liberia Correspondent.